Warkworth BID

Establishing a Business Improvement District – our proposal

Warkworth is changing rapidly with the population expected to explode over the next 20 years and land being developed at a rate of knots. These changes will generate more challenges and opportunities.

One Warkworth needs financial stability to continue supporting the local business community through these changes; to continue helping grow the local economy; and to keep lobbying for appropriate infrastructure.

We have made great progress over the last three years with the support of 23 loyal sponsors who contribute about 70 percent of the money used to get things done for the business community.  The remaining 30 percent of our funding comes from voluntary membership fees.

This is a high risk model. We need a more efficient and fairer way of funding the work we do – a model where everyone who benefits contributes.

The One Warkworth committee has unanimously agreed that forming a Business Improvement District (BID) is the fairest way to achieve this.

Our proposal is significantly different to previous BID proposals

Our proposal is to set an annual maximum flat rate of $500 (excl. GST) per commercial title. Our proposal does NOT include a rate (or part thereof) determined by the rateable value of a property. If a landlord chooses to pass the BID rate onto his / her tenants, the fixed rate of $500 may be divided by the number of rented units.

We are also adding an extra layer of protection so this rate cannot be changed easily. It will be drawn into our constitution that a change can only be made if a true majority of businesses within the BID area support doing so.

A BID will enable us to continue:

• representing the business community at central government, council and CCO meetings to ensure projects, policies and plans reflect local business needs
• making formal deputations and submissions on behalf of local businesses
• promoting local businesses on our search optimised website and business directory
• driving support for local businesses through social media channels
• hosting regular networking events
• holding public meetings on matters of concern for local businesses
• supporting events like the Santa Parade, Kowhai Festival, Classic Car Rally and Mahurangi Festival of Lights to connect local businesses with the community
• hosting and promoting workshops on business best practice and changing regulations
• sharing expertise to help businesses improve their capability and build capacity
• scoping and delivering initiatives like the e-Waste collection, late night shopping and monitored security cameras

What people are saying:

Susan Vize, Chocolate Brown: “I supported the BID last time, and I will support it again. I really can’t see a downside of supporting a strong, proactive business association.”

Hugh Harvey, MS Engineering: “I was strongly against the last BID proposal. I didn’t agree that the rate should be based on a commercial property’s capital value; I didn’t trust Council’s involvement; and l didn’t believe we would get any benefit from it. Over the last three years, One Warkworth has proven what can be achieved with the right support and resources. At a fixed rate of $500 per year / per title, establishing a BID will ensure One Warkworth can develop long-term strategies that the business sector and the area as a whole will benefit from. I fully support this new BID proposal.

Dave Morrison, Davco Electrical: “In 2014 I opposed forming a BID. The volunteers had done their best, but there was nothing in the proposal that would specifically benefit my business. The proposed rating system was also grossly unfair. Amongst other things, I’ve been impressed with One Warkworth’s work on the Structure Plan and roading network. Now I know what can be achieved, I’m happy to pay $500 a year to make sure One Warkworth’s work continues.” 

What’s next?

Following unanimous support at our AGM to enter the BID establishment process, we will now go to the vote to see if there is wider support.

Commercial property or business owners located within the black line on the map are eligible to vote on establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) in Warkworth.

The process of voting is set out in the Auckland Council BID policy.  The ballot is based on the principle of ‘one entity – one vote’/‘one person – one vote’, an entity being a ratepayer and/or a business/occupier. Where a ratepayer is the ratepayer for a number of properties s/he will be entitled to one vote. Where a ratepayer is also the occupier, s/he will be entitled to one vote.

Independent Electoral Services Ltd will run the ballot and voting is done by post or online using a dedicated code. Murray Chapman is currently collecting voter information to ensure everyone eligible is on the list to receive a postal voting pack. If you would prefer to submit your voter details electronically, click here.

The list of all eligible voters will be published on our website from mid-February so you can check your details. For more information about the BID and the establishment process, please contact Chair, Chris Murphy or Deputy Chair, Mark Macky.   Click here to download our information brochure.